Sad looking little TSC chicks need your help!

[speakup4kids]

We all do things differently and that's fine. If you don't like the advice someone gives on the forum, feel free to disregard it. HOWEVER, I personally feel it is rude to put someone down or insinuate that they are in some way harming their chick because they choose to help them in a way you may not. I am a trained vet tech who specialized in ag and small animal medicine and don't tend to give advice unless I believe it could help in some way. I completely understand that some poultry producers and owners of home flocks choose to do this on a more wait and see basis and absolutely do not fault anyone for this.

However, many chicks are born, or exposed to conditions in the first days of their lives that lead to respiratory infections. Because it is not immediately known what type of bacteria is causing the infection and treating the chick a.s.a.p. is vital to give it the best chance at survival, broad spectrum antibiotic is used.. The popping sound heard is most likely bacterial in nature and I would encourage antibiotic use in this case. I have a hard time understanding the fear of antibiotic resistance when many of these chicks will not otherwise survive. Resistance is not a typical, nor big enough documented problem to NOT treat a chick because of the possibility of it. Antibiotic is not going to harm your healthy chicks, although you shouldn't have your healthy and sick chicks together so I wonder why this is an issue? Good luck with your remaining babies.

 

[MeowCluckBark]

I'm so sorry to hear of the troubles and losses you've had with your babies. I am glad there are people out there that would take rescues in like this. I wish I could take more chickens into my home, but we have a 3 hen rule in town here. No roosters and no matter how much space you have only 3 hens. I just got 2 light brahma's and we have a silver wyandotte on the way. All the chicks here come from Dunlap Hatchery in Caldwell and they are well cared for in the Zamzow's and D&B Supply stores I've seen. I am appalled to see so many of these TSC stores having issues with caring for the baby chicks. I would definitely be reporting every problem to ensure they are doing the best they can for them. They can't prevent the stress from noise and the chaos but they can make sure they have clean food, water, and good temps.

 

[BWKatz]

Just for the record I have recently been in 2 TSC stores in SC and all the chicks were being well cared for. Hope the remainder of urs cont to do well.

 

[MelyndaSuarez]

They need clean water, chick starter feed, a good heat lamp (I use the red so they can sleep), and peace and quite. Fussing over them will kill them faster than anything. Alot of people kill chicks by over doing it. Stress kills. I had 2 chicks that were the same way. One got pasty butt,but they both pulled through fine because I left them be. They come from a stressful (Money the only concern) situation for sure. I got mine from TSC, but they kept them in good conditions, but still...stressful for the little things to be a noisy store like that. Good luck!